Charlevoix Fountain of Youth

COST OF PROJECT: $565,000 ($200,000 in DDA monies/$80,000 in City funds/ $285,000 in private and foundation monies)

COMPLETION DATE: July 2008

The concept of designing and building an interactive children's water fountain in East Park was suggested to the Charlevoix DDA in March 2007 by a local resident who believed Downtown could offer more family-oriented activities. A thorough investigation of specific location and designs followed and a feasibility study determined the plaza immediately adjacent to the new Harbor Master Building in East Park to be the ideal location.

In September 2007, the Charlevoix City Council hosted a public hearing, and following several hours of citizen feedback, voted to amend the Charlevoix DDA Development Plan to allow for the design and construction of an interactive fountain in East Park. Council accepted the DDA's recommendation to spend up to $200,000 in tax increment financing (TIF) monies on the fountain and further voted to appropriate up to $80,000 in municipal marina fund dollars. A wildly successful private fundraising effort including the participation of over 300 individual donors made up the difference in committed municipal funds and the final project cost.

Upon its grand opening on July 23, 2008 the Charlevoix Fountain of Youth features a safety-textured fountain pad measuring roughly 30 feet in diameter and 23 programmable water nozzles, each with two multi-hued LED light fixtures. Features made possible by additional private donations include heated water, programmable lighting and music and a signature center nozzle capable of sending a stream of water as high as 30 feet.

The Charlevoix Fountain of Youth can be found in Downtown Charlevoix, immediately adjacent to the Charlevoix Municipal Marina's Harbor Master Building at the foot of East Clinton Street. Weather typically dictates when the fountain is opened and closed for the season, though in a typical year it is expected to be in operation from mid-May through mid-October.

Fountain Hours

Interactive Mode

10am-9pm

In interactive mode, the heated fountain is open for play. The 30 foot high center nozzle is powered down and the stanchions and ropes are removed to allow access. Please properly supervise children. Use at your own risk.

Display Mode

9:30pm-11pm

The Fountain's choreographed music and light shows take place on the half hour and the fountain is to be enjoyed from behind the stanchions and rope as the high-pressure nozzle is engaged and the facility is unsupervised. Please remain out of the fountain during display mode.